Waite Deal's 1st Dividend Is Defenseman Wilkinson

July 10, 1993|By Joe Knowles.

The June 18 deal involving Jimmy Waite moved closer to completion Friday when the Blackhawks officially acquired defenseman Neil Wilkinson from San Jose.

Wilkinson, 25, played parts of two seasons with the Minnesota North Stars before being taken by the Sharks in the 1991 dispersal draft. In 205 regular-season NHL games over four years, Wilkinson has seven goals and 36 assists to go with 420 penalty minutes.

"We've been after him for awhile," said Hawks coach Darryl Sutter. "He's a proven NHLer who can play on the right side."

"Sutter shows more confidence in me in one statement than I got all year (at San Jose)," Wilkinson said. "I'm elated to go to a team like Chicago, which has a chance to win it all every year."

Wilkinson was a member of the '90-91 North Stars team that upset the Blackhawks in the first round and went on to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was Minnesota's second pick in the 1986 entry draft and the 30th player chosen overall.

A 6-foot-3-inch, 190-pounder, Wilkinson said he will bring size and physical play to the ice. "My allegiance is to winning, and I play hard every night trying to make that happen," he said.

"We have a lot of depth on defense, but not so much on the right side," said Sutter. "Right now, Wilkinson figures to be one of our top four defensemen. There's Chris Chelios, Steve Smith and then you'd have to make Wilkinson No. 3."

The rest of the trade is expected to be completed next week. The Hawks are after goalie Jeff Hackett, according to Sutter, but the Sharks may be seeking additional compensation if he is to be included in the package.